Snowflake Council Takes First Step To Accept Private Railroad CrossingMarch 6th, 2008
By Naomi Hatch
The Snowflake Town Council gave conceptual approval Feb. 26 to accept a private railroad crossing on Peach Blossom Lane that, once it meets town standards, will be maintained by the town.
Previously, Ron Smith brought a request for a rezone for a subdivision that was met with opposition by West Garden residents mainly because of the lack of access. It was noted that the subdivision had two en-trances, but there was only one entrance into that area.
At that time, reported Public Works Director Gary Fenstermaker, there were meetings with the railroad and the Arizona Department of Transportation (ADOT), one with Abitibi and the developer. Fenstermaker said that Smith had agreed to pay the $3,500 fee that would cover the engineering portion of the project. He noted that this is the beginning of the process for Smith to send an application to the railroad for approval. Fenstermaker said that ADOT approved the project in two days with few changes. There are turn lanes on the other side of the street for the chapel, making the project viable.
The map showed the crossing on Apple Blossom Lane and Mayor Kelly Willis expressed concern about using Apple Blossom.
When Fenstermaker looked at it he said he must have been eating an apple, that it should be Peach Blossom Lane.
Councilman Chris Brimhall said, “I agree that is the safest location,” but noted there were two constitu-ents who didn’t like the idea although they did not necessarily oppose it.
Town Manager Paul Watson said that the council had expressed concern regarding the liability of the road, and noted that he discussed the liability with the town’s insurance carrier, who agreed that it would be covered under the town’s blanket policy.
Watson noted that the action for this meeting was for a conceptual approval only, and that actual accep-tance of the crossing would come upon completion.
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